Chet and the Prisoners - 4

4

Toyo

February 20, 1942

I am cold almost all the time and have no money to buy warm things. The Germans have organised a store, and we are allowed to go and buy things from it, such as soap, shoe laces, tennis shoes,
handkerchiefs, candy, cigars, canned goods, soft drinks and beer but that is not much use without having any money. Apparently they use the profit for a general welfare fund for them. 

It is imperative that I get myself a job and make some money to be able to buy some stout shoes or boots. I have heard that we will be paid for jobs that we do, other than keeping our own barrack room clean. For that we take it in turns of four men in a group to do the dusting and mopping that is necessary. I have helped in the kitchen area, but would like to be a regular worker and hope there would be more of a chance of being a bit warmer.

We had a group meeting shortly after we arrived and decided the rules of how we would conduct ourselves in captivity. Most of us had talents of some sort or other, and besides fishing, which will do none of us any good here in this wilderness, I have the talent of cutting hair. The Germans already have a barber shop, but we should have our own and work in competition to them. They are charging two bits (twenty five cents) for a hair cut. We decided to charge only a nickle ( five cents). So I will be a barber, and earn some money in that way.

Others have different skills and between us we have two doctors and three dentists, as well as shop keepers, and accountants. Several of the shopkeepers decided we should have our own store too, and again undercut the Germans. They charge 5 cents for a bottle of pop, so we will charge 4. They also have a cafe and casino, which earns a tidy profit, but we have decided not to try to take on those jobs just yet.

We also decided that we should try to make use of our hobbies as best we can as well. I can whittle wood, and will be able to make some small items, possibly for sale. Others have musical talents. And we decided that we would meet regularly on a Friday evening for a cultural or musical evening, with people volunteering to take part to entertain us all.

Our routine is this: At 7 a.m. we hear a siren, which means it is time to be awake. We are allowed time to get dressed and washed, and then we have breakfast from 8-8.20. Then at 10 a.m. there are two sharp blasts on a whistle which signals roll call, and we are made to assemble in the athletic field. Each captain is responsible for seeing that his group is present, and if anyone is missing due to illness, he needs to report this. When all the reports are made, there is one loud whistle which means we are free to to back to other activities.

Other meal times are as follows: lunch 12-12.20 and supper from 6 to 6.20. Only those involved in cooking or sorting out the meals and dining area are permitted in the area other than these times.

Bedtime is signaled by three long blasts of the whistle, and all detainees must be by their beds by 9.45 with all lights and radios off and remain there until released by one blast of the whistle. Those
billeted in the hospital must return to their proper barracks for bed count, and remain there until the release whistle is blown. Lights are out at 10 p.m. sharp.

If one has medical problems, there are three times per week to be able to visit the hospital  to get some attention. These are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 1-4. One goes to the waiting area through the south door of the hospital, gives in his name, and waits to be called to be seen by a doctor or nurse. Also on Tuesdays and Thursdays, dental problems can be addressed in the same way. We do have our own doctors and dentists, but they have no equipment or access to medication, so they are really not much use.

No medicines are permitted except those prescribed by the Government hospital through prescriptions by Doctor Moyer or Dr. Orr. Money must accompany the order and is turned over to the Liaison office. Repairs to eyes and glasses are also handled through the Liaison Office, and the cost is paid by the government. We are also allowed, with permission from the Liaison Officer, to visit friends who might be incarcerated in the hospital on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Again we are to go in via the South door, but in no circumstances are allowed to enter the isolation ward without the permission from the doctor or public health nurse in charge.

On Sunday, having got a bad cut made when I was helping with the washing up (I will get paid $10 a month for doing this) I made my way to the hospital to get a bandage. When my name was called, how pleased I was to see my friend Chet being the one who then asked me about my problem, and then cleaned and dressed my wound.

“I was hoping to see you,” I said. “Do you work normal Monday to Friday hours at the State Penitentiary?” I asked.

“Yes, I do my normal work there during the time I'm not here, but it is an increase in my total hours. I signed on to do this for a six month period now, but I've said I must be finished by July, as my wife is expecting a baby, and I will be needed at home on Sundays after that.”

“My wife is expecting our second baby in August,” I shared with him. “Our little girl is only just over a year old. She was ill when I was taken, and I am desperate to know how she is.”

“This is our second baby too, but our first, a little boy, died only three weeks after he was born. He had a hole in his heart.”

“I am so sorry to hear that. You must have been very upset.”

“Yes, we were, and my wife, Ann, is now very worried that it will happen again with this baby. She thinks the problem was perhaps genetic or caused by something during the pregnancy. Ann worried so much that she has done something wrong. Also, she is old for being a mother.”

But Chet saw that the others were impatient for his help, so he said he must get on with his job.

I must now go back and talk a bit more about that which takes up much of all our time – writing letters.

We are allowed to write two personal letters per week, These are each a single piece of paper, written only on one side with no more than 25 lines. They are censored, as are the letters that we receive. If business letters are necessary, they are allowed extra. Those writing to us have to obey this rule too. We have to obtain permission if we wish to include any photographs. We do not have to pay for the stamps. Also packages under four pounds in weight may be sent free, and postcards too.

The letters must not contain any complaints about conditions of detention. However we can send letters of complaints to the State Department if we wish. We must not make any comments about the US conduct in the war, or of any of their military policies.